March 28, 2017
Bee keeping offers future for prisoners
The chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Mike Williams, says teaching prisoners to read and write is one of the most effective ways to stop them reoffending.
The league is holding graduations today for prisoners who have completed literacy and bee keeping courses.
Mr Williams says two thirds of prisoners can’t read and write well enough to get a driver’s licence – another qualification which has an impact on reoffending.
The bee keeping course was the result of an offer from experienced beekeeper Brian Alexander to run courses in Paremoremo and Auckland Women’s prisons.
"Beekeeping is actually a really in demand occupation because fo the manuka honey boom. All these prisoners will get jobs and that is a big step towards rehabilitation. If you get a job on leaving jail, the chances of you reoffending are cut in half," he says.
Mike Williams says the Howard League backs a call from ACT leader David Seymour for a reduction in sentence for prisoners who learn to read.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIKE WILLIAMS
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